Pakistan top leaders pay homage to army school attack victims

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, on Wednesday joined families of students who were massacred in a terrorist attack on an army-run school last year on the first anniversary of the incident.

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the brutal attack that killed nearly 150 people, mostly students on Dec. 16, 2014.

The first anniversary of the brutal attack on the Army Public School (APS) in the northwestern city of Peshawar was observed across the country with functions to show solidarity with the bereaved families.

"The attack on the army school has united the whole nation against terrorism as it was a painful incident for everyone. Time has come to root out terrorism," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told a largely-attended gathering at the school building in Peshawar.

"Terrorists who have killed innocent children will be brought to justice. We will take revenge of every blood of the martyr children," Sharif said. He said the APS tragedy has united the whole nation and fixed the future course for Pakistan.

He announced to observe Dec. 16 as the Day of National Resolve to promote education. He also announced the construction of "APS Shuhada (martyrs) University."

He paid tributes to the armed forces for waging a valiant campaign against terrorism under the leadership of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and completely eliminating the terrorists.

The prime minister said that the major offensive against the militants has broken the backbone of terrorists and the day is not far when terrorism will be completely eliminated.

All the federal educational institutions organized the "Martyrs of Army Public School Day." Some organizations held rallies, seminars and symposia to pay homage to the slain children.

In honor of the students, the Prime Minter has approved to rename 122 schools and colleges in the capital of Islamabad after the students of the school. Enditem